Gregg is not a closer...It's Koji time

When Kevin Gregg jogged in from the bullpen last night the vast majority of the people in the OH game thread knew the inevitable was about to happen.

Maybe it’s because he’s just not very good? Here are some reasons why you have so little faith in MacPhail’s/Showalter’s choice for closer:

- Gregg has saved only 70% of his chances this season after blowing the game last night to the Red Sox.

- He has a 1.63 WHIP.

- He has walked 12 in 15.1 innings.

- This is the 5th straight year his WHIP has gotten higher.

- The Orioles were the only team willing to even offer him the opportunity to close this year.

- He's had two appearances all year in which he didn't allow either at least one hit or walk.

- In ten of his 16 outings he's allowed two base runners to reach base.

- The lowest his ERA has ever been over a full season is 3.41.

- His career save conversion rate is 81% when most good closers career percentage is around 88% or higher.

I’m still trying to figure out why someone thinks this guy should be a closer? BTW, Koji Uehara has now pitched in back to back games over his last four outings twice. He throws strikes, and although he may get hit occasionally, at least you know he’s going to attack the hitters. His 87% save conversion rate is on par with the top closers in the business.

Tony Pente

Tony has owned and operated Orioles Hangout since 1996 and is well known for his knowledge of the Baltimore Orioles organization from top to bottom. He's a frequent guest on Baltimore-area sports radio stations and can be heard regularly on the 105.7 FM The Fan. His knowledge and contacts within the Orioles minor league system and the major league baseball scouting industry is unparalleled in the Baltimore media and is known as an expert on the Orioles prospects.